Dr. Swati Piramal is the Vice-Chairperson of Piramal Group, a global business conglomerate with diverse interests in pharmaceuticals, financial services, real estate and glass packaging. Piramal Group has offices in 30 countries, brand presence in over 100 markets across the world, and over 10,000 employees from 21 diverse nationalities. With a turnover of US$ 2 Billion in FY2020, theGroup steadfastly pursues inclusive growth, while adhering to ethical and value driven practices. Based on the philosophy of ‘Doing Well and Doing Good’, the Piramal Group continues to create long-term value for its stakeholders and the community at large.
Dr. Piramal is amongst India’s leading scientists and industrialists whose contributions to innovations, new medicines and public health services have touched many lives. In 2012, Dr. Piramal was awarded with the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honours of India, by the President of India.
Over the past 3 decades, Dr. Piramal’s efforts towards providing cost-effective and science-based healthcare globally, have significantly contributed in shaping the Indian pharmaceutical industry and to emerge as one of the largest producers of drugs in the world. She founded the Gopikrishna Piramal Memorial Hospital in Mumbai and was instrumental in launching several pan-India public health campaigns against chronic diseases, osteoporosis, malaria, diabetes, tuberculosis, epilepsy and child immunization. Dr. Piramal has authored several books on nutrition and health, including one for patients with renal disease and related disorders, and has written public policy papers on topics such as patent protection, intellectual property and data protection. Her strong influence on important public policies and governance on healthcare and related issues, is widely recognized and has led to major policy changes that have helped reduce the burden of disease.
As the Director of Piramal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Piramal Group, Dr. Piramal is deeply involved in developing innovative long-term and scalable solutions to resolve issues that are critical roadblocks towards unlocking India’s economic potential. She spearheads the efforts of the Foundation towards effective public policy and governance that enables successful private-public-partnerships (PPP models) to effectively solve problems and help meet India’s SGD Goals. Dr. Piramal has played a significant role in establishing avenues that promote primary healthcare in rural India, developing frameworks for women empowerment and enabling systemic transformation of India’s public education system by realizing the potential of young leaders of tomorrow, and promoting sustainable models for facilitating access to safe drinking water. Under the leadership of Dr. Piramal, the initiatives of Piramal Foundation work cohesively with the central and state governments, as well as through collaborations with NITI Aayog, The Rockefeller Foundation and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, amongst several others.
Through various capacities, Dr. Piramal has championed the cause of women leadership, and develops frameworks and policies to support women in leadership roles. She has served as the First Woman President of India’s Apex Chamber of Commerce (ASSOCHAM), in 90 years. Dr. Piramal, through her knowledge and experience, serves as a role model for several aspiring women, empowering them to bring in change at the highest levels of government and society.
Dr. Piramal is a Director on the Board of Nestle India and Allergan India, and is a Board Member of Dean’s Advisors to the Harvard Business School and the Harvard School of Public Health. She has been a Former Non-Executive Director on the Board of ICICI Bank, a Former Director on the Boards of SBI Capital Markets and Prudential ICICI Asset Management Company, and a Former Board Member on the Board of Life Insurance Corporation of India. Dr. Piramal has also served on various advisory council boards of industry, trade, science and research, art and technology, as well as on the boards of Indian and international academic institutions that include IIT Bombay, Xavier’s College Mumbai, University of Pennsylvania, IITB-Monash, Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Business School. In addition, she has served on the Prime Minister of India’s Trade Advisory Council and Scientific Advisory Council.
Dr. Piramal is a recipient of several prestigious awards and recognitions including ‘Business Leader of the Year’ Award by Hello Hall of Fame Awards (2019); First Ladies Awards by the President of India (2018); ‘Woman of the Year’ Award for outstanding contributions to society in the Medical field by IMC Ladies’ Wing (2016); LinkedIn Power Profile list for most viewed CEOs on LinkedIn, India (2015); Kelvinator Stree Shakti Women Achievers Award by Colors (2014); Padma Shri, amongst the Highest Civilian Honours presented by the President of India (2012); Elected as the member of the Harvard Board of Overseers (2012); Alumni Merit Award - the Highest Award bestowed upon a Harvard Alumni by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2012); nominated to the Hall of Fame - Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune India (2011); Awarded by President of India for contributions to better Corporate Governance (2011); Global Empowerment Award – UK by Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kent (2011); Nominated 8 times in succession as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in India by Business Today (2011-2003); Distinguished Industrialist Award for outstanding contributions to the Pharmaceutical Industry by Vellore Institute of Technology (2010); Rajiv Gandhi Award for Outstanding Woman Achiever by Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (2007); Awarded by Prime Minister of India for contributions in the field of Science and Technology (2006); ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite’ (Knight of the Order of Merit) one of France’s Highest Honours for Medicine and Trade (2006); Chemtech Pharma Award for Biotech Industries (2006); Lucknow National Leadership Award by Lakshmipat Singhania-IIM, Lucknow (2006); Management Women Achiever of the Year Award by Bombay Management Association (2004-5).
Dr. Swati Piramal holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the Harvard Business School, in addition to a Medical Degree (M.B.B.S) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery from University of Mumbai, India
